How-to Get Rid of Head Lice

If you’ve never had lice, count yourself among the lucky ones. If you have, chances are you’ll do nearly anything to avoid repeating the experience.
Although children are the most susceptible to catching it, you can get lice at any age. Despite the old wives tales, how clean or dirty your hair may be has nothing to do with catching lice; indeed, some “experts” say that lice are even more attracted to clean hair!
If your scalp is unusually itchy, look closer—they like to hunker down at the base of the hairline in the neck or over the ears, and close to the scalp. You can tell them apart from dandruff easily—dandruff falls away, whereas lice or nits (lice in the egg stage) cling on for dear life—good luck trying to brush them away!
To actually kill lice and nits you need to apply a chemical product. But do your research, as some brands are less toxic than others—look for one that can be left on just an hour or so, instead of overnight. These lotions can take their toll on your hair, and especially on children’s more fragile locks, so only apply them in confirmed cases, not preventatively.
If you are wholly opposed to the chemical solution, you can try the natural route—mayonnaise or olive oil. But be forewarned: these products will not kill lice, they will only make it easier to comb them out. Like the chemical lotions, apply all over your hair and scalp and then comb out with a fine-tooth metal comb.
You can also apply a chemical lotion first and follow it up with an olive oil pack to give a bit of moisture back to your hair and as a second, back-up, combing session. After treatment, wash your hair with a gentle, frequent use shampoo, such as Beauty-id’s Daily Shampoo, fortified with vitamins and kiwi extract.
As you’re treating your hair, wash everything that comes into contact with your head at a high temperature—hats, scarves, combs, brushes, headbands and even barrettes. Then move on to the bed linens, stuffed animals and pillows.
Feel free to share your experiences, and any home remedies that you think are worth passing on!